pt on undaunted. Harrison gazed in open mouthed terror from
one to the other. All seemed horror stricken at the situation. Rowdy
tugged fiercely at his leash.

All could now see clearly the sputtering fuse attached to the package
lying on the forward deck. From the gentle manner in which Wyckoff had
handled it they guessed its contents. None knew better than the intrepid
lad approaching the parcel what the result would be were he a second too
late. Even as he hurried forward a chill seemed to run through his veins
with the thought of what might happen were he not able to reach the
package in time.

Harrison often declares that never to his dying day will he forget the
coolness and excellent nerve displayed by Charley as he approached the
sputtering fuse on the other end of which lay lurking probable death for
the whole party. He says that out of all his varied experiences none
stands forth with more distinctness than does the one through which he
passed that night on the Fortuna.

Doright was paralyzed with terror and sank limply to the floor, resting
his head on a bunk and praying as he never had prayed before for
deliverance. His voice was gone, but his lips worked convulsively while
his face took on a drawn and haggard expression seeming to visibly
shrink together, leaving great pouches beneath his eyes and lines
through his cheeks. He gasped for breath.

In his haste Charley stumbled over the free end of the bow line, made
fast to the deck cleat. It had been coiled loosely, leaving the free end
trailing across the deck. Quickly he was up.

Lunging forward again, his arm outstretched, the boy tried to grasp the
package that was still just out of reach. He made a last fierce lunge
and grasped the thing. He stood upright. A shower of sparks flew from
the end of the shortening fuse.

CHAPTER XXIII

AT THE SPANISH FORT

There is no doubt that Charley's bravery and quick action saved the
Fortuna and her crew. With a mighty effort he flung the package far from
him. It fell into the waters of the bay with a splash. The next moment a
muffled roar was heard and a vast column of water was flung skyward. The
Fortuna rocked in the waves.

"Man overboard!" cried Tom, who had been nearer Charley than any other
member of the crew. "Throw me a ring buoy!"

He was over the side in a flying leap. He had paused but an instant to
gauge the spot where he believed he would find the other lad. Charley's
effort to t